• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.174-183
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• 2023

Background: Office workers experience neck or back pain due to poor posture, such as flexed head and forward head posture, during long-term sedentary work. Posture correction is used to reduce pain caused by poor posture and ensures proper alignment of the body. Several assistive devices have been developed to assist in maintaining an ideal posture; however, there are limitations in practical use due to vast size, unproven long-term effects or inconsistency of maintaining posture alignment. We developed a headphone and necklace posture correction system (HANPCS) for posture correction using an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor that provides visual or auditory feedback. Objects: To demonstrate the test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of neck and upper trunk flexion measurements using a HANPCS, compared with a three-dimensional motion analysis system (3DMAS). Methods: Twenty-nine participants were included in this study. The HANPCS was applied to each participant. The angle for each action was measured simultaneously using the HANPCS and 3DMAS. The data were analyzed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = [3,3] with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: The angular measurements of the HANPCS for neck and upper trunk flexions showed high intra- (ICC = 0.954-0.971) and inter-day (ICC = 0.865-0.937) values, standard error of measurement (SEM) values (1.05°-2.04°), and minimal detectable change (MDC) values (2.92°-5.65°). Also, the angular measurements between the HANPCS and 3DMAS had excellent ICC values (> 0.90) for all sessions, which indicates high concurrent validity. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that the HANPCS is as accurate in measuring angle as the gold standard, 3DMAS. Therefore, the HANPCS is reliable and valid because of its angular measurement reliability and validity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.75-82
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to identify risk factors associated with the occurrence of musculo-skeletal symptoms of cashiers and provide suggestions for an improved workspace design. Workload and exertion of each task were measured using job analysis and posture analysis. The three most time-consuming tasks were waiting (43.8%), scanning (23.5%) and payment transaction (22.9%). It was analyzed that the workspace can be improved by applying Korean anthropometric data to the design of the desk height. The most common posture was a standing posture with neutral back, and bent lower arms and hands. Finally, it was revealed that 'scanning' and 'payment transaction' seemed more stressful than other operations. The result of the ergonomic evaluation would be a useful basis for designing an improved workspace.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.253-259
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to determine how smartphone use posture affects biomechanical variables and muscle activities. Eleven university students(age: $22.2{\pm}2.6$ yrs, height: $176.6{\pm}4.7$ cm, weight: $69.5{\pm}7.5$ kg) who have no musculoskeletal disorder were recruited as the subject according to having experience in using the smartphone for more than one year. Angular velocity, muscle activity, and thumb finger pressure were determined for each trial. For each dependent variable, a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures was performed to test if significant difference existed among different three conditions (p<.05). The result showed that rotational angular velocity of the first metacarpal were increased in DESK posture compared with STAND posture during SU phase. The average nEMG values of FDI(First dorsal interosseous) were less in SIT and DESK posture compared with STAND posture during SR phase. These indicated that smartphone postures may effect the thumb ROM(Range of motion) and muscle activity. This has led to suggestions of the need for further kinetic and EMG analyses to evaluate best assess and characterize with smartphone use.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.727-734
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• 2010

The objective of this study was to evaluate the resting postures of the fingers and wrist based on the biomechanical model in term of hand posture (neutral, pronation, and supination) and gender (male and female). The finger and wrist joint angles were measured with VICON motion system. The EMG system was used to examine the muscle activity in the resting condition. The participants consisted of twenty male and twenty female students. The angles of the fingers and wrist were analyzed by means of the coordinate system associated with the International Society of Biomechanics. Hand posture was significant for all the joints. The finger and wrist joint flexed in supination more than in neutral and pronation. The hand posture and gender were not significant for the results of muscle activity, but it had larger muscle activities in supination more than in neutral and pronation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Operations and Management Science Society Conference
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• 1992.04b
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• pp.592-601
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• 1992

Reach posture의 정확한 예측은 인간모형이 구현되어 있는 CAD시스템에서 인간공학적 평가를 하는데 있어서 중요한 역할을 한다. 인간 골격구조의 복잡성과 그 행위의 특성에 대한 연구의 부족으로 인해 연구성과가 미미한 어려운 분야라 하겠다. 본 연구에서는 인간을 로보트와 같은 Multi-link system으로 간주하고, 로보트 Kinematics를 적용하여 Reach posture를 예측하고자 한다. 상지는 Hip, 어깨, 팔꿈치와 손목관절로 구성된 8자유도의 Redundant manipulator가 되고, 하지는 Hip, 무릎과 발목관절의 6자유도 link system이 된다. 상지의 Reach posture는 Resolved motion method를 이용하고, 하지는 Pieper's method를 사용하여 예측한다. 상지에 대한 Reach posture예측결과를 인간이 실제로 취하는 자세를 Motion Analysis system으로 검증해 본 결과 유사한 결과를 보였다.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.251-256
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• 2021

Objective: The forward head posture (FHP) is strongly related to the rounded shoulder posture (RSP), which is associated with shoulder pain. Design: Observational cross sectional study design Methods: A total of 37 were enrolled in the study, 22 individuals with FHP(experimental group) and 15 healthy adults(control group). Correlation with differences between groups was analysed through craniovertebral angle (CVA) representing FHP for both groups, neck disability index (NDI) indicating neck pain, disability of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) indicating shoulder pain. Results: There was a significant difference in the results of CVA, NDI, and DASH in FHP and healthy adults (p<0.05). Significant correlations were found between DASH and CVA in FHP participants (r = -0.656, p = 0.001). Also, in the regression analysis results of DASH and CVA, the regression model was found to be suitable and the variation in DASH could be explained by 43% (F = 15.118, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Shoulder pain and neck discomfort are potentially related, and an increase in shoulder pain can increase FHP.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.57-67
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• 2009

The psychosocial stress and musculoskeletal disorders(MSDs) have been one of major health problems for hospital workers. This study tried to understand the relationship between symptoms associated with MSDs and risk factors such as working posture, job stress, psychosocial stress and fatigue. A total number of 655 hospital workers participated in this study. Specifically, REBA was applied for evaluating working posture and a checklist prepared by KOSHA(Korean Occupational Safety and Health Agency) was used for symptom survey. A questionnaire from KOSHA was also used for collecting data associated with job stress, psychosocial stress and fatigue. All these data were formulated and modeled by path analysis which was one of major statistical tools in this study. Specifically, path analysis for the data we collected came up with several major findings. As a result, as for body part(neck), (waist) and (arms) the degree of risk of work posture measured with the use of job stress(KOSS), psycho-social stress(PWI-SF) and REBA is significantly more affected by fatigue than muscular skeletal disease related consciousness symptom. However, regarding bod(wrist), the degree of risk of work posture measured with the use of job stress(KOSS) and REBA is directly affected by muscular skeletal disease related consciousness symptom. This study is meaningful in that the study clarified the causal relations of the degree of risk of work posture, degree of fatigue, and muscular skeletal disease related consciousness symptoms by each body part measured with the use of work stress(KOSS), psycho-social stress(PWI-SF) and REBA.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.47-53
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• 2018

Purpose: To find the effect of visual feedback of head angle with using a mobile posture-aware system on craniocervical angle and neck and shoulder muscles fatigue for preventing or decreasing the forward head posture. Methods: Twenty-four healthy young adults in Chungbuk to participate in this study. The subjects started to watch a movie clip for 10 minutes with visual feedback in $0^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$, and $60^{\circ}$ of head angles. During the task, surface electromyography (EMG) was used to collect data from the upper trapezius (UT), sternocleidomasetoid muscle (SCM), cervical erecter spinae (CES) during watching the smartphone. Craniocervical angles were measured using a sagittal-view photograph of the subject in a sitting posture. A one-way repeated analysis of variance with a significant level of 0.05 used for statistical analysis. Results: Craniocervical angle with $0^{\circ}$ visual feedback was significantly greater than $30^{\circ}$ and $60^{\circ}$. Craniocervical angle with $30^{\circ}$ visual feedback was significantly greater than $60^{\circ}$. In addition, MDF of UT muscles in $0^{\circ}$ and $30^{\circ}$ of visual feedback was significantly greater than $60^{\circ}$. Conclusion: We concluded that $0^{\circ}$ visual feedback of head angle with using a mobile posture-aware system would be beneficial to prevent or decrease forward head posture during watching a smartphone. We also could recommend using of $30^{\circ}$ visual feedback in case of caring UT muscle fatigue primarily.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.267-279
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• 2014

Objective: The objective of this study was to define the Dynamic Sitting (DS) through trend analysis and research on the Dynamic Chair (DC) and applied technologies. Background: The effects of changing posture on the human body have been studied to find out healthy sitting postures. It is believed that changing posture is effective in reducing disc pressure on spinal cord and preventing back pain and musculoskeletal disease. But, the definition of DS and trends of DC have not been researched yet. Therefore, trend analysis of DC and its applied technologies are required to define dynamic sitting posture. Method: We researched the type of occupant postures from previous studies. And then, sitting behaviors were classified into three types; (1) sitting and standing, (2) working and studying, (3) taking a rest. Results: Variety shapes of DC and applied technologies were found out. From the result, the trend of DC and applied technology were summarized from three perspectives. ; (1) changing the chair functions according to user's intention, (2) conversion of dynamic chair technologies to office chair mechanism, (3) enables the user to change their sitting posture without operating control device. Conclusion: From this study, we defined dynamic sitting posture and analyzed the trend of DC and its applied technologies. This result might be used to develop an office chair for healthy sitting. But further investigation is required to figure out the technologies and functions for development of healthy chair. Application: The results of the publishing trend analysis might help to determine design concept of office chair.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.243-252
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of trunk posture on muscle activity and motion of scapular and scapulohumeral rhythm. Thirty-one healthy subjects performed right-arm abduction and adduction along the frontal plane while standing in both upright and flexed posture of trunk. Scapular upward rotation, anterior tilting and internal rotation ware recorded using a motion analysis system and muscle activity of upper trapezius, lower trapezius and serratus anterior ware recorded using surface electromyography during abduction and adduction in both trunk postures. then, scapulohumeral rhythm was calculated. Scapulohumeral rhythm and scapular posterior tilting in flexed posture was significantly decreased than in upright posture. Also, muscle activity of lower trapezius in flexed posture was significantly increased and serratus anterior was significantly decreased than in general posture. The result of this study revealed that flexed posture of trunk altered the muscle activity and kinematic of scapular. Measurement of trunk posture should be included the evaluation of dysfunction and disorder of shoulder girdle since rehabilitation of trunk posture is important to restore of upper limbs function.